American voters don't believe either President Barack Obama or "the federal government" will
solve the nation's economic crisis in two years, but they still approve 59 - 25 percent of the job
their new President is doing, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

While most voters support President Obama's $75 billion mortgage rescue plan, they say
64 - 29 percent that the plan is unfair to those who pay their mortgage on time. But they believe
55 - 37 percent that the plan will stabilize home prices as the White House contends. Perhaps
surprisingly, 72 percent of renters support the plan compared to only 53 percent of homeowners.

Half of the 2,573 voters surveyed by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack)
University poll were asked: "Do you believe the federal government will be able to fix the
economic crisis in two years?" Voters said no 68 - 26 percent.

Separately, the other half were asked: "Do you believe President Obama will be able to
fix the economic crisis in two years?" These voters said no 64 - 28 percent.

Voters approve 57 - 33 percent of the way Obama is handling the economy and trust the
President more than Republicans in Congress 56 - 26 percent to handle the economy.

Support for Obama and his programs is strongest among younger and less affluent voters,
dropping to 49 percent among those making more than $250,000. His job approval is 55 percent
for whites, 89 percent for blacks and 72 percent among Hispanics. On most questions about
Obama and his policies there is about a 10-point gender gap with women more favorable.

"President Barack Obama's approval rating is solid, compared to the historical record of
new presidents, but the lofty numbers he enjoyed after his election are leveling off, largely
because of declining support from Republicans," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Our dual question on whether Obama or 'the government' can fix the economic crisis in
two years shows some Obama magic has faded, leaving him with only a little more credibility
than 'the government,'" Brown added. "But by an impressive 56 - 26 percent margin, voters
trust the President over Congressional Republicans to do a better job handling the economy."

American voters split 45 - 45 percent in their approval of the way Democrats in Congress
are doing their job, but they disapprove 58 - 30 percent of the way Republicans are working.

U.S. voters approve 57 - 35 percent of Obama's $75 billion plan to help homeowners
avoid foreclosure, but they have very mixed feelings. Given three choices, voters say:

28 percent that the $75 billion plan is fair and they support it;

39 percent that it isn't fair, but it's necessary and they support it;

29 percent that it isn't fair and they don't support it.
By 62 - 25 percent, voters blame lenders more than borrowers for the mortgage crisis.

Obama's $800 billion economic stimulus package wins 55 - 39 percent support from
American voters, but they oppose a number of other assistance plans, saying:

65 - 31 percent that the government should not help auto makers avoid bankruptcy;

51 - 43 percent that the government should not help homeowners avoid foreclosure;

59 - 34 percent that the government should not help banks avoid failure.

"A government plan to help other people pay their mortgage rubs voters the wrong way,
but they agree that doing so will stabilize housing prices and help everyone's home values," said
Brown. "Voters are clearly ambivalent about the mortgage rescue plan. Roughly two-thirds
think the plan is unfair, while a different two-thirds support it out of necessity, including 39
percent who are willing to hold their nose and go along."

Looking at three promises Obama made in his address to Congress last week:

Voters believe 61 - 35 percent Obama's promise not to raise taxes on anyone with a
family income under $250,000 per year;

By a 55 - 38 percent margin, voters do not believe Obama's promise to cut the national
deficit in half by the end of his first term.

From February 25 - March 2, Quinnipiac University surveyed 2,573 American voters
with a margin of error of +/- 1.9 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as
president?

12. President Obama promised this week that he will get major health care
reform - aimed at covering almost everyone while reducing costs - through
congress this year. Do you believe he will keep this promise?

15. President Obama said he understands public frustration with the government
help for private banks. But he said more than the 700 billion dollars already
approved would be needed to keep the banks lending and getting the economy
moving again. Do you support or oppose spending more than the 700 billion
dollars on helping banks?

16. Congress has passed President Obama's economic stimulus package which
includes tax cuts and new federal spending of about 800 billion dollars. Do
you support or oppose this economic stimulus package?

20. Which comes closest to your opinion about President Obama's plan to help
homeowners avoid foreclosure - President Obama's plan is fair and I support
it, President Obama's plan isn't fair but I still support it because it is
necessary or President Obama's plan isn't fair and I don't support it.

21. Thinking about the home mortgage crisis, who do you think is more to blame,
the homeowners who took out loans that they may not be able to pay back or the
mortgage lenders who loaned the money to people who may not be able to pay it
back?